"Sydne was very informative and made me feel at ease from the moment we first met. I would definitely recommend her to anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation as I." Former OWI client

"Sydne was always available to answer every question I had throughout the entire process, but most importantly she worked not just for me, but with me. I feel like this was the difference between just being a client, and being her client. "R.E.

I try to take a personal interest in every person who calls me for help. I do my best to make sure they do not feel like they are just a case number or just another "defendant." I make the time to really listen to their side of things, their perspectives, and their concerns. I do my best to stay in touch, and I welcome my clients to do the same. They know they can call me 24/7 and that I am there for them 100%.

"Sydne's commitment to her clients,
to the ideal of justice, and to the goal
of zealous representation is unparalleled." Keith Findley, President, International Innocence Network; Co-Director, Wisconsin Innocence Project

We are passionate about what we do and it shows. We have earned a solid reputation for negotiating significantly reduced charges, penalties, and dismissals while aggressively defending our clients against the power and resources of the State.

Visit our News Room and take a look at some of the results we have achieved for our clients. You'll see why we are one of the most well respected criminal and drunk driving defense firms in Wisconsin.

WI Misdemeanor & Felony Penalties
Criminal Sentences

The Law Offices of Sydne FrenchAggressive Defense Against the Power & Resources of the State

Overview

Misdemeanors

Felonies

Types of Sentences

Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP)

Wisconsin Criminal Penalties AttorneysWI Criminal
Sentences Lawyers

Wisconsin Criminal Penalties & Sentences

Don't show up to sentencing unprepared. Get the aggressive, experienced representation you deserve!

Sentencing is a complex process that no individual, or attorney for that matter, should ever take lightly. Each case is different and there are many factors that influence a judge at a sentencing hearing. Every attempt should be made to mitigate or downplay the negative aspects of your case, and identify and emphasize the positives.

Some attorneys believe the fight to defend their clients ends before sentencing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our firm puts a enormous amount of time and energy into the sentencing hearing. We fully prepare our clients well in advance of the hearing. We talk to family members, employers (if appropriate), develop character witnesses to speak at the hearing, and we obtain and submit to the judge letters of recognition and support from many sources. Our goal is to make our clients less of a number and more of a human being with a life and loved ones to get back to.

Achieving Superior Results

At our firm, we are passionate about what we do—and it shows! Attorney Sydne French has won hundreds of serious criminal cases of all types. She is known for negotiating significantly reduced charges/penalties and dismissals while aggressively defending clients. Visit our News Room and you will see some of the remarkable results we have achieved for our clients, then call or email us todayto schedule a free no hassle consultation in our Waukesha office or Milwaukee office.

Misdemeanor Penalties

We have provided sentencing and penalty charts for those of you searching (either for yourself or a loved one) for information on the web about criminal penalties in Wisconsin. Please keep in mind these charts are provided merely as a starting point. Contact our office before drawing any conclusions about the outcome of your case and never rely solely on information found on the Internet.

Class

Penalties

Misdemeanor A

Maximum: $10,000 fine or imprisonment for 9 months, or both.Repeat Offender: Term of imprisonment may increase by up to 2 years.

Misdemeanor B

Maximum: $1,000 fine or imprisonment for 90 days, or both.Repeat Offender: Term of imprisonment may increase by up to 2 years.

Misdemeanor C

Maximum: $500 fine or imprisonment for 30 days, or both.Repeat Offender: Term of imprisonment may increase by up to 2 years.

Felony Penalties

We have provided sentencing and penalty charts for those of you searching (either for yourself or a loved one) for information on the web about criminal penalties in Wisconsin. Please keep in mind these charts are provided merely as a starting point. Contact our office before drawing any conclusions about the outcome of your case and never rely solely on information found on the Internet.

Class

Penalties

Felony A

Life imprisonment.Repeat Offender: term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of one or more misdemeanors, and up to 6 years if the person was previously convicted for a felony.

Felony B

Maximum: imprisonment for up to 60 yearsRepeat Offender:
term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of misdemeanor, and up to 6 years with a prior felony conviction.

Felony C

Maximum: $100,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 40 years.Repeat Offender:
term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of misdemeanor, and up to 6 years if previously convicted of felony.

Felony D

Maximum: $100,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 25 years.Repeat Offender:
term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of misdemeanor, and up to 6 years if previously convicted of felony.

Felony E

Maximum: $50,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years.Repeat Offender:
term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of misdemeanor, and up to 6 years if previously convicted of felony.

Felony F

Maximum: $25,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 12.5 years.Repeat Offender:
term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of misdemeanor, and up to 6 years if previously convicted of felony.

Felony G

Maximum: $25,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 10 years.Repeat Offender:
term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of misdemeanor, and up to 6 years if previously convicted of felony.

Felony H

Maximum: $10,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 6 years.Repeat Offender:
term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of misdemeanor, and up to 6 years if previously convicted of felony.

Felony I

Maximum: $10,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 3.5 years.Repeat Offender:
term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years if previously convicted of misdemeanor, and up to 6 years if previously convicted of felony.

Withheld SentencesImposed and Stayed Sentences

There are two ways a judge can render a sentence: "withheld" sentence or an "imposed and stayed" sentence.

Withheld Sentence

With a withheld sentence, the judge does not actually impose a sentence and the convicted person is instead placed on probation.

Imposed and Stayed

With an imposed and stayed sentence, the judge determines the amount of incarceration time to be served, but does not require the convicted person to begin serving the sentence. As with a withheld sentence, the judge instead orders that a period of probation be served.

Condition Time

Keep in mind, however, that you can still end up doing jail time with probation. It's called "condition time," or time served in jail as a condition of your probation. Condition time feels the same as a jail sentence. The only only real differenece is that you are NOT able to earn "good time" on condition time. Good time is earned only with time served in jail as a "sentence.".

What this means during the probation period

If the judge decides to "impose and stay" a sentence and then places the convicted person on probation—and the probation is later revoked—that individual will go directly to serving the amount of incarceration time the judge originally imposed.

If a person's parole is revoked, the ALJ determines how much "good time" credit the defendant should forfeit or lose, and how much of the remaining sentence the defendant will be required to serve. Although eligibility for parole is again made available to the defendant, there is no mandatory release date and the defendant can end up serving the entire remainding amount of time in the sentence.

Extended Supervision (ES)

If ES is revoked, the ALJ determines whether the ES should be revoked, but it is the circuit court judge who determines the incarceration time the defendant must serve on the remaining sentence before being eligible for release again on ES. This reincarceration period can be up to the maximum length of the sentence, with credit given for time already spent in confinement. The defendant must serve the entire period of reincarceration ordered by the judge.

If a paroled defendant waives (gives up) the right to a revocation hearing, the Department of Corrections (DOC) determines the length of reincarceration. If an ES defendant waives a revocation hearing, then the DOC recommends to the trial judge the period of reincarceration to impose.

Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP)

Also known as "Boot Camp," the Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP) is a program that can reduce the initial period of incarceration in a criminal sentence. Boot Camp or CIP is common with drug cases/convictions, because one of the criteria required to become eligible for it is a qualified drug problem or substance abuse treatment need.

The information contained in this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own unique situation.
Submission of information via this website does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. For more specific legal information regarding your case, call The Law Offices of Sydne French at 262.748.7008 for a free consultation / case evaluation.